Success Stories

Deborah

Deborah was at her home in late February talking to her sister on the phone. “The next thing I knew was that I was waking up in a hospital!”

Deborah had suffered sudden onset respiratory failure. She had been on a tracheostomy and was dependent on a ventilator at night, but for the most part was independent and enjoyed caring for her dog and driving around town to take care of daily business.

She arrived at Kindred Hospital on full ventilator support. Her care team set out to help her regain pulmonary function so she could do physical therapy and rehab and get back to living as independently as possible. Deborah made excellent progress right away and soon her lung function was stabilized, allowing her to participate more fully in rehab therapy and begin walking more each day with the help of a walker.

“All the staff here is wonderful,” Deborah shared. “The respiratory team is really great, and my nursing aides have been fantastic. I also have to say that the housekeeping and kitchen staff are also wonderful. I’m looking forward to returning home with my sister and my dog and seeing my son and grandson – and catching up with my friends on Facebook.”

Deborah, all of us at Kindred wish you the best as you continue to recover and hope that you get your health back so you can live your life to the fullest!

Jo

Jo came to Kindred for advanced wound treatment after being admitted to a general hospital. Her wounds were very severe and the infections she had were highly acute, yet despite the treatment she was receiving at another facility she was not making sufficient progress. Unfortunately, her infections had taken a toll on her right foot and Jo had to have her right toe amputated to facilitate her recovery.

When Jo arrived at Kindred, she was under a great deal of stress and was unsure if this was the right choice for her. However, her wound care team and nursing staff made Jo feel at ease and her recovery began to move forward. “At first I wasn’t a big fan of Kindred,” Jo stated. “Since I came here however, I have a whole new appreciation, and it’s been a long time since I truly met other ‘kindred spirits.’”

In the time since her arrival, one of Jo’s major wounds has healed completely and the other three wounds are well on their way to closing up as well. “The whole staff – especially my wound care team of Melissa and Rachel – are the best!” Jo said. “Their care and the positive atmosphere here reduced my stress level so I could sleep better, which has helped my recovery. I am so happy that my wounds are finally healing!”

Jo, all of us at Kindred are behind you every step of the way and know that you will continue to get better! Your tenacity and positive attitude are an inspiration to all of us.

Donald

Despite a devastating disease and many more challenges, Donald is close to going home again.

Donald went to the hospital in the fall of last year to have a sore that had developed on his throat checked out. He also was experiencing swelling and soreness in his throat. The results couldn’t have been any worse – he was diagnosed with throat cancer and began radiation and chemotherapy immediately.

A couple of months later he developed a severe blood infection that caused his breathing to become very shallow and led to a full code. He was resuscitated and had to be given a tracheostomy and feeding tube to support his vital functions. By December, Donald’s prognosis was very poor as he struggled through the treatments for cancer and the measures needed to keep him alive, but he made it through and into the New Year.

His condition improved enough over the next few months to where he was able to be admitted to Kindred Hospital in March of 2017 for continuation of treatment and to be weaned from the ventilator. Although had made remarkable progress in his fight against cancer, Donald was extremely depressed and communicated that he missed his family, grandchildren and friends terribly, but he persevered with the support of his team of respiratory, speech, physical and occupational therapists and his wife Mary, to whom Donald has been married to for 43 years.

Donald achieved a major milestone at the beginning of July when he was able to have the tracheostomy removed and was able to breathe on his own again. His respiratory team continued to work with him as his lung strength was weakened from months on the ventilator and Donald bravely continued to work hard on his recovery. Then just two weeks after being liberated from the ventilator, Donald was discharged from Kindred to a rehab facility to continue his journey to recovery. “I’m really looking forward to being outside again, breathing fresh air and seeing my grandchildren and family again,” Donald enthused.

“I am truly thankful for everything everyone on his care team has done to help Donald,” his wife Mary added. “There were many times when I didn’t think he was going to make it.”

Donald, you are an inspiration to all of us at Kindred! Your courage and determination to overcome this incredible challenge touched everyone who cared for you. We want to wish you and Mary all the best and hope that your recovery continues until you are back to being cancer-free and healthy once more.

Carol

Carol, her family, and their three dogs had just moved into their brand-new custom home last year. They had barely settled in when Carol started experiencing problems breathing. She was rushed to a general hospital where she was diagnosed with respiratory failure and given an emergency tracheostomy and hooked up to a ventilator.

At the hospital, doctors also discovered she was suffering from acute kidney failure and had to begin dialysis. Unable to breathe on her own and with a tracheostomy tube in her throat, Carol was also dependent on a feeding tube for her nutrition.

Carol arrived at Kindred extremely debilitated and confused. She needed maximum assistance for all her daily needs as well. Her care team began a ventilator weaning treatment plan and slowly Carol began to show sign of progress. As her lung strength returned, she was able to start breathing on her own again and was able to wean from the ventilator for the day, requiring breathing assistance only at night. Carol began using a voice valve and was able to communicate with her caregivers and family members again.

Her outlook improved even more when she was able to start a diet of soft foods and her kidney function was restored and she no longer required dialysis. “I’m happy to be able to go home again to be with my husband, my two daughters and our three dogs,” Carol said just before she left Kindred.

Carol was able to be discharged to her home with home care to continue her recovery, and all of us at Kindred wish Carol all the best and hope she’s able to get her health completely back very soon.

Linda

Looking Forward to Going Home

Linda came to Kindred Hospital after suffering from respiratory and kidney failure. She required a tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation as well as hemodialysis to support her vital functions.

When she arrived, Linda was very weak and was dependent on a high level of assistance for all her daily needs and mobility. Her care team developed a treatment plan, and soon Linda began to make excellent progress. She was able to discontinue her dialysis treatments as her kidney function returned to normal and soon she was able to wean from the ventilator and have her tracheostomy removed.

Linda is now participating in daily occupational and physical rehab sessions and her recovery is moving forward rapidly. "I owe Kindred my life," Linda expressed thankfully. "I'm looking forward to going home again to my husband, seeing my children and my grandchildren, and doing the things I love to do like going to church and playing cards!"

All of us at Kindred are very proud of the progress you made, Linda, and have no doubt that you'll be home very soon.

Cynthia

Looking Forward To A New Chance At A Full Life

Cynthia was admitted to a general hospital for extensive surgery on her left foot. She suffered numerous complications that also included severe infection and tissue rejection from a skin graft that was placed to help heal the wound.

At the hospital, the wound on her foot was very slow to heal, and Cynthia was admitted to Kindred Hospital for continuing wound care and to begin physical rehabilitation. She was on a course of antibiotics to help the healing process and her wound care team worked diligently to ensure her dressings were changed frequently and her wound was healing as it should.

Slowly, she began to improve, and while Cynthia still can't completely bear weight on her foot, she is able to participate fully in rehab therapy to strengthen her legs and arms. Cynthia can now transfer from her bed to a wheelchair and is able to take care of her daily needs. Her goal is to return home to continue her rehab and then move to Florida to be with her niece.

Cynthia shared that she feels deep gratitude for many of the staff on her care team at Kindred Hospital, but she has a special regard for John - her radiologist; "he has been a pleasure to work with - he's made me feel comfortable and at ease, as if I was talking to a caring friend or family member."

Cynthia, thank you for sharing your story and for your kind words! All of us at Kindred are on your side - we know that you'll be able to reach your goals and hope that you'll be able to get to Florida very soon.

Harold

Looking Forward To The Future Again

Harold came to Kindred Hospital Indianapolis North to recover from complex surgery and to begin rehab.

On arrival, his care team was concerned about his condition and outlook as he had just undergone surgery to remove both legs below the knee. Understandably, he was experiencing depression and was unsure how much ability and independence he would be able to recover.

Shortly after his arrival Harold began to make remarkable progress. As his wounds got better, his spirit got brighter and he started to regain his strength and motivation. He eagerly participated in physical occupational therapy and learned adaptive mobility techniques that would help him regain his independence and quality of life. It wasn't long before Harold was able to transfer into his wheelchair with minimal assistance and perform many other self-care tasks.

Just before leaving Kindred, Harold shared that "I have a much better outlook on life since I came here and am once again looking forward to the future." Harold was with us at Kindred Hospital for four weeks, and in that time all of us who cared for him saw a wonderful transformation in body and spirit.

Harold transferred to Kindred Wildwood to begin more advanced rehab and occupational therapy and continue on his journey back to health. On behalf of everyone at Kindred, we wish you all the best, Harold!

In the photo are Harold's wound care nurses, Michelle Bailey and Rachel Lehman.

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